The Criterion Collection

[blujazz]

You guys are not alone about Playtime.

For me, it's a more interesting film behind the scenes: it's ambitious and basically ruined Tati. but as it is, as a comedy, it's not really *that* funny.

Then again, a friend of mine loves it for its satire... so to each his own.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

I enjoy your enthusiasm, and I respect your in-depth knowledge of classic films!

I don't buy anything just because it is considered "cool". I buy what appeals to me and what I enjoy. And so far, I thoroughly enjoy Criterion films and have less success with Kino. Just my personal preference, no offence to anyone who likes Kino, just my own personal taste.

Are you being sarcastic with your first sentence?

Either way, you do know Criterion doesn't make films right? Is it like if Criterion gets the rights to a film Kino has released before, it makes the film better in your eyes? Get rid of all the dvd companies for a second and all you have is the actual movie(s). Would you say that you still like those movies? What if I mix them back in with non-Criterion released movies (which would then be needles in a haystack of a much larger world of cinema) how would you tell them apart? I just don't understand how one pretty much says "I like Criterion films" and disregards everything else because it hasn't been released by the "wacky C" bunch. That is all I am getting at. Are you someone who only likes a company instead of films that was made before the company was even started? Criterion, Kino, Flicker Alley, Olive Films, Masters of Cinema, BFI, Milestone, Fantoma. These are (or in Fantoma's case, were) just companies who TOGETHER release films, and all of them combined still haven't released films from entire countries. They are not the films, the history of the films, and why they are the way they are.

[BohemianGraham]

Oh Jesus, we're not going to start what does or doesn't belong in the collection again, are we? Just because you don't like a particular release, doesn't mean it's better suited for Kino or some other company to restore. Criterion have their reasons for the films they choose.

I personally dislike Salo, but a lot of people here love it. Why should I deprive them of their poop-eating films just because it doesn't match the personal opinion I hold of what the Criterion collection entails? It's starting to get ridiculous as to what people expect from Criterion. It seems that as of late, people are just buying releases to criticise them, and/or to try and find some fault with them.

Be thankful we even get some of these films on DVD and BD, because otherwise, you'd be left with a craptastic TV recording and/or VHS transfer if you're lucky. People constantly whining about the stuff Criterion puts out, or what TCM chooses to show on TV. Don't like it, don't buy or watch it. Others happen to like and appreciate that stuff.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by cferreiro

the thin red line, sweet smell of success...all have excellent transfers

Agreed! Sweet Smell of Success just blew me away. Wonderful, quick, biting film. And the James Wong Howe special feature is one of my favorite extras ever.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Oh Jesus, we're not going to start what does or doesn't belong in the collection again, are we? Just because you don't like a particular release, doesn't mean it's better suited for Kino or some other company to restore. Criterion have their reasons for the films they choose.

I personally dislike Salo, but a lot of people here love it. Why should I deprive them of their poop-eating films just because it doesn't match the personal opinion I hold of what the Criterion collection entails? It's starting to get ridiculous as to what people expect from Criterion. It seems that as of late, people are just buying releases to criticise them, and/or to try and find some fault with them.

Be thankful we even get some of these films on DVD and BD, because otherwise, you'd be left with a craptastic TV recording and/or VHS transfer if you're lucky. People constantly whining about the stuff Criterion puts out, or what TCM chooses to show on TV. Don't like it, don't buy or watch it. Others happen to like and appreciate that stuff.

I think SB is just re-explaining the ol' "Criterion doesn't produce films they release them" speech....

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think SB is just re-explaining the ol' "Criterion doesn't produce films they release them" speech....

My comment wasn't directed at SB, it was directed at those who though Island of Lost Souls should have been picked up by Kino, rather than Criterion for distribution, because it's somehow "inferior" to what constitutes a Criterion release.

Criterion has good films, and they also have bad films. It's personal opinion as to which is which. It just seems like lately people have a problem with what Criterion is releasing for distribution, from the films they get the rights to, the PQ, and audio issues. People expect Criterion to be perfect and are holding them to too high of standard. Sure they goof from time to time, but the way people go on about the audio issues on Carlos, or the slight crop on Harakiri, you'd think it was the end of the world.

I actually agree with what SB posted, and think people are being whiny for the sake of being whiny lately.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Criterion - The Brand America Trusts!™



Because objectively, poop is ishy?

At the same time, many would argue that the poop is symbolic in some way, and the film is culturally significant.

Obviously people are no longer trusting the Criterion brand, since they keep whining about the films Criterion is choosing to buy the rights for distribution to, and because they are meticuously analysing every release they buy for flaws with PQ, AQ, etc, rather than just straight up enjoying the films.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I actually agree with what SB posted, and think people are being whiny for the sake of being whiny lately.

Lately?

[italy12]

Originally Posted by billzfan

I am just getting into collecting Criterion blu-rays. Are there a few some people here can recommend?

Definitely want to try and pick up The Third Man, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and Pierrot le Fou.

[italy12]

I was just wondering if anyone who owns the BD release of Carlos can confirm that disc 2 has an audio encoding error...

It seems that the front left, center, and right, along with the surround right channels are all too loud for some reason.

Can anyone confirm if this is the case?

[italy12]

Watched The Rules of the Game over the weekend, in addition to In the Realm of the Senses. Enjoyed both very much.

With Rules..., I was actually wondering what made this movie so appealing during the first 45-minutes or so...and then, with the last hour, I fell in love!!

After viewing Realm..., I will never eat another hot dog with ketchup again in my life.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Lately?

I know people whine all the time, but lately it seems to be even more excessive than normal.

Speaking of whining, nothing from B&N yet as to what I can do with my second copy of Dazed and Confused. I went ahead and ordered Kuroneko from Amazon Canada (yes, I'm cracked, because I'm paying more tna 10 dollars for a Criterion, but it was literally about a dollar more than ordering it from the US site once you factor in shipping, import fees, exchanges rates), because I wanted the film more than Dazed and Confused. Dazed and Confused was highly enjoyable, but Kuroneko was much more so. If I don't hear from B&N by Thursday, I'll see if anyone wants to buy it here in Canada for 25-30 bucks, because I don't normally sell stuff, and I'm not going to charge anyone shipping, and I don't have paypal. I don't know if that's high or not, as it's still sealed and the digipack isn't beat up or anything.

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Symbolic of what they ate yesterday.

Hardy har har. I'm far from Salo fan, and can't believe I'm defending it, but it does have more merit and sybolism than that.

[toddly6666]

I just rented the blu-ray of BIGGER THAN LIFE. This movie is a masterpiece - totally entertaining and thrilling from beginning to end. I'm glad I didn't buy it though, but this movie is a must-see. The blu-ray is perfect too. The extras are really interesting too - there's some critic who evaluates the whole film. And there's an interview with Nicholas Ray and the interviewer is one of the most obnoxious intervierers I've ever seen. It was almost like he was channeling Zach Galifinakis' Between Two Ferns.


Unrelated to my above paragraph:

If your video store rents out Criterion blu-rays, RENT them! There's all this talk on here about people biotching about Criterion releasing films that they shouldn't be releasing. Do any of the Criterion complainers actually rent movies? If you rent a movie, you wouldn't have this obsession of "why can't Criterion release regular non-pretentious movies. I want to buy Criterion blu-rays but they they are 80 percent garbage." For the people that complain about Criterion, you are really complaining that you can't take part in PURCHASING Criterion blu-rays like everyone else. If you were renting them rather than blind-buying, no complaints would be made. SALO is a perfect example of this. SALO is a film that should be rented or watched once basically (unless you are a serious fan of horror films). It's an excellent horror film once. The people that complain that SALO got put onto a Criterion blu-ray is actually complaining that they can't watch it over and over actually due to the content. Just rent the damn movie and enjoy its amazing restoration once!

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by italy12

I was just wondering if anyone who owns the BD release of Carlos can confirm that disc 2 has an audio encoding error...

It seems that the front left, center, and right, along with the surround right channels are all too loud for some reason.

Can anyone confirm if this is the case?

It's the other way around: the left surround channel is noticeably muted.
I sampled a couple of scenes and then compared them to the UK Optimum disc - there's definitely a problem.
I emailed Jon Mulvaney about this problem and the Three Colors White audio problem. He replied that they had confirmed both problems and they would be offering replacements in December.
Unfortunately, he didn't directly address my question of how they would replacements for Australia (this would also apply to other countries). Hopefully, this won't be an issue.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

It's the other way around: the left surround channel is noticeably muted.
I sampled a couple of scenes and then compared them to the UK Optimum disc - there's definitely a problem.
I emailed Jon Mulvaney about this problem and the Three Colors White audio problem. He replied that they had confirmed both problems and they would be offering replacements in December.
Unfortunately, he didn't directly address my question of how they would replacements for Australia (this would also apply to other countries). Hopefully, this won't be an issue.

That's interesting...I noticed my other 4 channels were too loud. I wonder why that would be.

Can someone google this and see if it is legitimate?

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Speaking of whining, nothing from B&N yet as to what I can do with my second copy of Dazed and Confused. I went ahead and ordered Kuroneko from Amazon Canada (yes, I'm cracked, because I'm paying more tna 10 dollars for a Criterion, but it was literally about a dollar more than ordering it from the US site once you factor in shipping, import fees, exchanges rates), because I wanted the film more than Dazed and Confused. Dazed and Confused was highly enjoyable, but Kuroneko was much more so. If I don't hear from B&N by Thursday, I'll see if anyone wants to buy it here in Canada for 25-30 bucks, because I don't normally sell stuff, and I'm not going to charge anyone shipping, and I don't have paypal. I don't know if that's high or not, as it's still sealed and the digipack isn't beat up or anything.

I am actually starting to be worried about my B&N order. I got the email notification that it was shipped on 11/18/11, it's now been past two weeks and still nothing. I sort a remember it took a while last sale also but seem to be getting worst. It's funny how I can get something from Amazon.uk to Montreal in less then 5 days and something from the USA taking two weeks plus

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

I just rented the blu-ray of BIGGER THAN LIFE. This movie is a masterpiece - totally entertaining and thrilling from beginning to end. I'm glad I didn't buy it though, but this movie is a must-see. The blu-ray is perfect too. The extras are really interesting too - there's some critic who evaluates the whole film. And there's an interview with Nicholas Ray and the interviewer is one of the most obnoxious intervierers I've ever seen. It was almost like he was channeling Zach Galifinakis' Between Two Ferns.


Unrelated to my above paragraph:

If your video store rents out Criterion blu-rays, RENT them! There's all this talk on here about people biotching about Criterion releasing films that they shouldn't be releasing. Do any of the Criterion complainers actually rent movies? If you rent a movie, you wouldn't have this obsession of "why can't Criterion release regular non-pretentious movies. I want to buy Criterion blu-rays but they they are 80 percent garbage." For the people that complain about Criterion, you are really complaining that you can't take part in PURCHASING Criterion blu-rays like everyone else. If you were renting them rather than blind-buying, no complaints would be made.

Actually, a lot of the so-called *****ing is about films that people thing aren't pretentious enough to be in the collection, like Tiny Furniture, anything by Wes Anderson (that's a debate unto itself about how pretentious or not he is), Robocop, and The rock. There are a few who think others are far too pretentious, mainly those within the sales thread, but it's the opposite in this section.

The only blind buy I've not been enamoured with was Lola Montes, but at the same time, it is a good film, and I do enjoy watching it when I'm in the right mood to watch it. I wouldn't sell or trade it for the world. The only Criterion I actively want to get rid of at the moment is Dazed and Confused, but only because Barnes and Noble screwed up and sent me two copies, instead of a single copy and Kuroneko. Out of all the titles I have, and depending on how you count films, I have anywhere between 50-60 Criterion titles (if you count the bonus films as separate titles), only 15.5 haven't been blind buys (.5 is for Gojira, I saw the horrible English cut, but not the original Japanese).

I'm disappointed that you don't feel that you should own Bigger Than Life. It's one of my favourites, and it was a blind buy for me, based on the awesomeness of James Mason, Walter Matthau, and Nicholas Ray's other films.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I am actually starting to be worried about my B&N order. I got the email notification that it was shipped on 11/18/11, it's now been past two weeks and still nothing. I sort a remember it took a while last sale also but seem to be getting worst. It's funny how I can get something from Amazon.uk to Montreal in less then 5 days and something from the USA taking two weeks plus

Yeah, My Amazon UK arrived quicker than any B&N order, and it was held up by the postal strike. I'm still waiting on two that shipped on the 13th, Stagecoach and Kiss Me Deadly. I hope they're correct this time. It takes between 2 weeks to a month to get stuff. It seems like it's a Customs/Canada Post issue though.

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Just having some fun. Sweet Movie is more to my taste.

I think Sweet Movie is worse than Salo, to be honest.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I'm disappointed that you don't feel that you should own Bigger Than Life. It's one of my favourites, and it was a blind buy for me, based on the awesomeness of James Mason, Walter Matthau, and Nicholas Ray's other films.

I've been saying for years that the collection needs more Nick Ray...one of the all-time most undervalued American filmmakers.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by italy12

That's interesting...I noticed my other 4 channels were too loud. I wonder why that would be.

Can someone google this and see if it is legitimate?

Mulvaney's confirmation is in this thread. Sorry, I don't recall the page number.